Officer's tunic : Ballarat Volunteer Rangers

Myrtle green superfine wool, patrol style tunic with rounded scarlet superfine stand collar and pointed cuffs. Upper edge of collar trimmed with 2cm wide black wool braid that extends down the fronts, across lower edge of jacket and up side vents. Lower edge of collar trimmed with 1cm plaited black/green wool braid that traces the inner edge of the thicker braid past the collar, all the way round the tunic, forming three eyes at the points of each side vent. Collar has embroidered gold bullion and velvet crowns stitched to wide black braid, indicating the rank of lieutenant colonel. Shoulder straps of two twisted rows of plaited 1cm black braid, each with a round, netted black wool button. Front of tunic frogged with five rows of dark to lighter green braid; each row forming two drops at the outer edge, opposing eyes in the middle, and loops on the left front that fasten over black netted olivets on the right front. Tunic also fastens with ferrous metal hooks and eyes beneath. 14cm welt pocket, lined with brown cotton drill, at each side of last row of frogging, traced with 1cm black braid forming a crowsfoot at each end of pocket. Pointed scarlet cuffs trimmed with wide black braid, traced with narrow braid forming a crowsfoot at the point. Above left cuff, an embroidered gold bullion on scarlet wool 1868 marksman badge and above this, a plated brass 'FIVE YEARS BADGE'. Panel seams at back of tunic decorated with wide dark green braid, traced with narrower braid forming a crowsfoot at each end and opposing eyes in the centre. Inside tunic, front panels are faced with green superfine, machine stitching visible at lower edge. Right front cut with serrated edge. Rest of tunic has been re-lined with black cotton sateen. Sleeves lined with beige cotton twill and collar with green superfine.

First pattern of tunic adopted by officers of the Ballarat Volunteer Rangers in 1858 and based on the British 60th Rifles. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Wallace, previously of the 60th Rifles, was the first commanding officer. The tunic was worn with trousers of the same colour with a black lace side stripe and a fur shako or busby. The regiment was renowned for its excellent marksmanship. In 1884 the Ballarat Rangers became known as the 3rd Battalion Victorian Rifles.

• Officer's shoulder belt with pouch : Ballarat Rangers